Plum tree named ‘Suplumtwentyfive’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct low-chill plum variety,  Prunus salicina  ‘Suplumtwentyfive’ is disclosed. The new variety has a relatively low winter chilling requirement of 200 hours at or below 7.2° C. The new variety has heavy and regular fruit production in the mild-winter region of California&#39;s Coachella Valley where harvest typically begins about 20 days before the ‘Red Beaut’ (unpatented) harvest begins in California&#39;s San Joaquin Valley. ‘Suplumtwentyfive’ produces large (approximately 55-58 mm diameter), firm, round fruit having smooth black skin and amber-colored flesh. The flavor of the new variety is mildly sweet with mildly-tart skin.

Latin name of the genus and species claimed: Prunus salicina.

Variety denomination: ‘Suplumtwentyfive’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of plumtree, herein after referred to by the cultivar name ‘Suplumtwentyfive.’The new variety ‘Suplumtwentyfive’ originated by hybridization. Thevariety was hybridized and selected by David Cain. The new variety wasfirst evaluated by David Cain and Terry Bacon in California's CoachellaValley, near Mecca, in Riverside County, Calif.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety ‘Suplumtwentyfive’ is characterized by having large(approximately 55-58 mm diameter), firm, and round fruits having asmooth black skin and amber-colored flesh. The flavor of the new varietyis mildly sweet (14° brix), and the skin is mildly-tart. The new variety‘Suplumtwentyfive’ has a relatively low winter chilling requirement ofapproximately 200 hours at or below 7.2° C. The new variety possessesheavy and regular fruit production in the mild-winter region ofCalifornia's Coachella Valley, where harvest begins about May 5,approximately 20 days before ‘Red Beaut’ (unpatented) harvest begins inCalifornia's San Joaquin Valley.

The seed parent of the new variety ‘Suplumtwentyfive’ is ‘90P-001’(unpatented) which was selected from a progeny of ‘Suplumeighteen’ (U.S.Plant Pat No. 7443) crossed with pollen of ‘Ambra’ (unpatented). Theparent varieties were first hybridized in 1996, with the date ofplanting of February, 1997, and the date of first flowering beingFebruary 1999. The pollen parent is an unknown low-chill plum variety.The new plum variety was first asexually propagated by Terry Bacon nearWasco, Kern County, Calif. in 2000, by budding onto ‘Flordaguard’(unpatented) rootstock.

The new variety ‘Suplumtwentyfive’ most nearly resembles its seedparent, ‘90P-001’ in that they both have black skin and amber-coloredflesh. It differs from its seed parent by requiring approximately 200C.U. in order to come out of winter dormancy and crop successfully. Incontrast, the seed parent, ‘90P-001’ requires approximately 600 C.U. tobloom and crop successfully. The new variety may also be distinguishedfrom its seed parent in that it does not have bitter skin when ripe, ascompared to the bitter skin of ‘90P-001.’ ‘Suplumtwentyfive’ alsodiffers from the seed parent, ‘90P-001’ in that the fruit of‘Suplumtwentyfive’ is more firm than the fruit of the seed parent.

The new plum variety ‘Suplumtwentyfive’ may be distinguished frompresently available cultivars in commerce by the following combinationof characteristics: the new variety ‘Suplumtwentyfive’ most nearlyresembles the ‘Ambra’ (unpatented) plum variety. It may be distinguishedfrom ‘Ambra’ by requiring approximately 200 C.U. in order to come out ofwinter dormancy and crop successfully, while ‘Ambra’ requiresapproximately 500 winter C.U.

The new variety ‘Suplumtwentyfive’ has been shown to maintain itsdistinguishing characteristics through successive asexual propagationsby, for example, budding onto ‘Flordaguard’ rootstock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

The accompanying color photographic illustration (FIG. 1) shows typicalspecimens of the foliage and fruit of the new plum tree variety‘Suplumtwentyfive.’ The illustration shows the upper and lower surfaceof the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a fruit divided acrossits suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remainingin place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after beingpicked (shipping ripe) and the colors are as nearly true as isreasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small lettersignify that the name of that color, as used in common speech is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England.

The new variety ‘Suplumtwentyfive’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, daylength, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to 3 year old‘Suplumtwentyfive’ plum trees grown in the vicinity of Wasco, KernCounty, Calif., during 2002, and is believed to apply to plants of thevariety grown under similar conditions of soil and climate elsewhere.

TREE (measurements taken on two year old tree unless otherwise noted)

-   General:    -   -   Tree size.—Medium. Normal for most plum varieties. Reaches a            height of approximately 3 meters with normal pruning.        -   Tree vigor.—Vigorous; growth of approximately 1.8 to            approximately 2 meters height the first growing season.        -   Tree growth.—Upright-spreading.        -   Tree productivity.—Productive. Fruit set is usually two or            more times desired amount for marketable size fruit.            Thinning and spacing of fruit is necessary.        -   Tree form.—Vase formed.        -   Bearer.—Regular. No alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Unknown. Should be planted with another low-chill            plum to ensure consistent set.        -   Tree canopy density.—Dense. Pruning is required to open tree            vase shape, allowing more sunlight to center of tree.        -   Tree hardiness.—Hardy in all fruit growing areas of            California. Winter chilling requirement is approximately 200            hours at or below 7.2° C.        -   Tree disease resistance/susceptibility.—No specific testing            for relative plant disease resistance/susceptibility has            been designed. Under close observation in Wasco, Kern            County, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease            resistance/susceptibility has been observed.-   Trunk: (measurements at 30 cm above soil line).    -   -   Trunk diameter.—Approximately 9 cm. Varies with soil type,            fertility, climatic conditions and cultural practices.        -   Trunk texture.—Medium shaggy, increases with age of tree.        -   Trunk color.—Near Greyed-green 198B to Grey 201A. Becomes            darker with age.-   Branches: (measurements at approximately 90 cm above soil line).    -   -   Branch size.—Diameter ranged from approximately 4 to            approximately 6 cm.        -   Branch texture.—Smooth on 1^(st) year wood, increasing            roughness with tree age.        -   Branch color.—Branches vary from near Greyed-green 198C to            near Grey-brown 199C.        -   Branch lenticels.—Number: Few — varies from 0 to            approximately 5 lenticels per square centimeter. Lenticel            number varies widely depending on environmental conditions            and vigor of the plant. Color: Near Greyed-green 198C.            Length: Approximately 5 mm. Width: Approximately 2 mm.-   Flowering shoots: (data taken in July at midpoint of current-season    growth).    -   -   Flowering shoot size.—Average diameter: approximately 5 mm.        -   Flowering shoot color.—Topside: Near Greyed-orange 172A with            slight green background; Underside: Near Greyed-orange 172A.        -   Flowering shoot lenticels.—Few — varies from 0 to            approximately 20 per linear centimeter. Lenticel number            varies widely depending on environmental conditions and            vigor of the plant.        -   Flowering shoot leaf buds.—Shape: Ovoid. Width:            Approximately 1 mm. Length: Approximately 2 mm. Color: Near            Greyed-orange 165A.        -   Flowering shoot flower buds.—Shape: Ovoid. Width:            Approximately 2 mm. Length: Approximately 2.5 mm. Color:            Near Greyed-orange 165A. Number: Usually 2.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaves: (data taken in July on fully expanded leaf at midpoint of    current-season growth).    -   -   Leaf size.—Average length: Approximately 85 mm. Average            width: Approximately 35 mm.        -   Leaf thickness.—Medium.        -   Leaf color.—Upper surface: Near Green 139A. Lower surface:            Near Green 139C.        -   Leaf form.—Obovate.        -   Leaf tip.—Cuspidate.        -   Leaf base.—Cuneate.        -   Leaf margin.—Finely serrated.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinately net veined.        -   Leaf surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Leaf petiole.—Average length: Approximately 10 mm. Average            diameter: Approximately 1.5 mm. Color: Near Yellow-green            151B.        -   Leaf stipules.—Number: 2 per leaf bud. Typical length:            Approximately 3 to approximately 5 mm.        -   Leaf glands.—Form: Globose but mixed with many            randomly-shaped glands. Number: Varies from approximately 4            to approximately 8. Position: Alternate on upper portion of            petiole and base of leaf blade. Average size: Approximately            0.5 mm by approximately 0.5 mm. Color: Near Greyed-purple            183A.

FLOWERS (fully opened)

-   General:    -   -   Flower blooming period, Kern County, Calif.—First bloom:            Approximately Feb. 15, 2002. Full bloom: Approximately Feb.            20, 2002.        -   Flower blooming period, Coachella Valley, Calif. (low-chill            site).—First bloom: Approximately Feb. 5, 2002. Full bloom:            Approximately Feb. 12, 2002.        -   Flower diameter.—Approximately 20 mm.        -   Flower aroma.—Very slight.-   Flower peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 9 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.9 mm.        -   Color.—Near Yellow-green 145B.-   Flower petals:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Arrangement.—Overlapping.        -   Length.—Approximately 9 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 7 mm.        -   Shape.—Elliptical.        -   Apex shape.—Rounded.        -   Base shape.—Narrows at point of attachment.        -   Color.—White.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Margins.—Slightly undulating.-   Flower sepals:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Length.—Approximately 3 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 3 mm.        -   Shape.—Elliptical with slightly pointed apex.        -   Color.—Near Yellow-green 145A.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth, slightly rippled.-   Flower stamens:    -   -   Number.—Approximately 18 to approximately 24, average            approximately 22.        -   Average length.—Approximately 7 mm.        -   Filament color.—White.        -   Anther color.—Near Yellow-orange 19A, with highlights of            Orange-red 33B.        -   Pollen color.—Near Yellow-orange 14D just before dehiscence.-   Flower pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually one, occasionally two.        -   Average length.—Approximately 7 mm.        -   Ovary diameter.—Approximately 0.9 mm.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Stigma position.—Stigma extends below anthers.

FRUIT (Data taken at firm-ripe on mature tree managed to obtain maximumquality)

-   General:    -   -   Fruit harvest Kern County, Calif.—Date of first pick:            Approximately Jun. 5, 2002. Date of last pick: Approximately            Jun. 15, 2002.        -   Fruit harvest Coachella Valley, Calif. (low-chill            site).—Date of first pick: Approximately May 5, 2002. Date            of last pick: Approximately May 15, 2002.-   Fruit size:    -   -   Length (stem end to apex).—Approximately 50-55 mm.        -   Diameter in line with suture plane.—Approximately 50-55 mm.        -   Diameter perpendicular to suture plane.—Approximately 55-58            mm.        -   Average weight.—Approximately 99 gm.-   Fruit form:    -   -   Viewed from apex.—Rounded, symmetrical.        -   Viewed from side, facing suture.—Rounded, symmetrical.        -   Viewed from side, perpendicular to suture.—Rounded,            symmetrical.-   Fruit apex shape: Rounded, to slightly flattened.-   Fruit stem-end cavity depth: Shallow, approximately 0.9 cm.-   Fruit stem:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 8.8 mm.        -   Width.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Color.—Near Green 143C.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Adherence to flesh.—Tenacious.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Bloom.—Moderate amount.        -   Color.—Near Greyed-purple 187A, becoming fully black as            fruit ripens.        -   Taste.—Neutral to slightly acidic.-   Fruit flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Fine textured, firm, moderately juicy.        -   Fibers.—Few.        -   Flavor.—Neutral to slightly acidic.        -   Brix.—Approximately 14 degrees.        -   Juice.—Moderate amount.        -   Aroma.—Slight.        -   Color.—Amber (near Greyed-yellow 161B).-   Fruit use: Dessert. Market, local and long distance.-   Fruit shipping/keeping quality: Good. Holds well in cold storage for    6 weeks and maintains good firmness and eating quality. Minimal    bruising and scarring in packing and shipping trials.-   Stone: (measurements taken on dried stones).    -   -   Stone freeness.—Clingstone.        -   Stone size.—Length: Approximately 20 mm. Diameter in line            with suture plane: Approximately 18 mm. Diameter            perpendicular to suture plane: Approximately 8 mm.        -   Stone form (viewed from side).—Obovate, coming to a sharp            point at the apex.        -   Stone form (viewed from stem end).—Somewhat flattened.        -   Stone base shape.—Rounded and retuse at stem attachment.        -   Stone apex shape.—Rounded with a small, sharp point.        -   Stone surface.—Irregularly furrowed throughout. Lightly            ridged and pitted throughout.        -   Stone sides.—Equal.        -   Stone ridges.—1 on each side of the suture, small and            rounded, beginning at the base and extending throughout the            length of the stone.        -   Stone outgrowing keel.—Well developed.        -   Stone tendency to split.—None.        -   Stone color.—Near Greyed-yellow 161B when dried.

1. A new and distinct variety of plum tree named ‘Suplumtwentyfive’ asherein illustrated and described.